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Constipation in a 7-year-old boy: congenital band causing a strangulated small bowel and pulseless electrical

Andrea C Fang1, Jennifer Carnell, John C Stein

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|September 14, 2010
PubMed

Insights

A rare congenital adhesive band caused a child's strangulated small bowel and cardiac arrest, highlighting the need for emergency physicians to consider serious underlying causes of pediatric constipation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Surgical Gastroenterology
  • Congenital Anomalies

Background:

  • Constipation is a frequent pediatric emergency department (ED) diagnosis.
  • Serious underlying conditions can manifest as constipation.
  • Early recognition of severe causes is critical.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old boy presented with pulseless electrical activity after prior ED visit for constipation.
  • He had a history of emigration and presented with abdominal pain.
  • Resuscitation and emergent surgery revealed a congenital abdominal adhesive band.

Findings:

  • The congenital adhesive band caused a strangulated small bowel.
  • This led to multi-organ failure, including hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
  • The patient required prolonged hospitalization and extensive follow-up.

Implications:

  • Congenital adhesive bands are rare but potentially fatal anomalies.
  • Increased physician awareness is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention.
  • This case underscores the importance of thorough evaluation for pediatric constipation.
Abstract

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